Members of the mushing community, volunteers, and emergency responders raced to save more than 600 sled dogs from the Sockeye Fire near Willow, Alaska. Photo courtesy Chuck Cubbison. Dog owners raced the flames to save more than 600 sled dogs as a wildfire swept through Alaska’s Mat-Su Valley last week. In the fire’s path were […]

UPDATE (June 1, 2015):  Governor McCrory vetoed HB 405 on Friday, May 29.  The legislature now has the option of overriding this veto with a 3/5 majority vote in both chambers.  The AKC supports this measure and urges North Carolinians to contact their state senator and representative today and ask them support a veto override. Visit […]

AKC is pleased to announce the launch of a new online legislative action center. The microsite, designed by the AKC Government Relations Team and hosted by CQ Roll Call Inc., is designed to make it easier for dog lovers to learn more about and advocate on key issues that impact dogs and dog ownership.  The […]

In the most recent of several initiatives to recognize the canine-human bond and to protect pets and their owners, the American Kennel Club has announced strong support for federal legislation (HB 1258) that would protect the pets of victims of domestic violence.  The 2015 Pet and Women Safety Act (the 2015 "PAWS" act), sponsored by […]

Sidewalk cafes and restaurants with outdoor dining patios in New York may soon become dog-friendly if proposed legislation supported by the American Kennel Club becomes law. The New York Senate recently passed Senate Bill 4327, which would give food service establishments the option of allowing customers to bring their pet dogs onto outdoor dining areas. […]

By Jennifer Clark, Manager, Canine Legislation It was one of the busiest days of the legislative year in North Carolina, but that didn't stop legislators, legislative staff, and state employees from responding to the AKC's invitation to "stop by on your lunch break and hug a dog!" at AKC's 4th annual "Canines at the Capitol" […]

The American Kennel Club (AKC) honored Georgia Representative David Knight on May 19 with an AKC Legislator of the Year award. The award was presented by Gail LaBerge, AKC Delegate and President of the Georgia Canine Coalition. Knight was accompanied by his son, John David. Members of the Griffin Kennel Club and Police Officer Jordan with […]

At its April meeting, the AKC Board of Directors approved a new position statement to clarify the organization’s position on tethering.  The position statement is as follows:  “The American Kennel Club recognizes that tethering is a practical and humane method for training and restraining dogs in a variety of circumstances.  Dogs should never be tethered […]

United Airlines recently announced a reversal on their suspension of flying pets in cargo. Instead of outlawing all animals from flying in the cargo area, United stated that they will now ban 21 dog breeds and four cat breeds from flying cargo on their flights. The list of banned breeds includes dogs considered either brachycephalic […]

In the last several years, AKC has monitored an increasing number of proposals at the state and local level that are designed to license and regulate professional groomers and grooming salons. In some cases, proposals have been introduced in response to a tragic and negligent accident at a grooming salon. In other cases, proposals are a response to […]